| 10/16/2002 7:29:35 PM

PITTSFORD, N.Y. - The Rochester Institute of Technology men's soccer team remained unbeaten in the Empire 8 with a 1-0 shutout victory against St. John Fisher College Wednesday afternoon.

The Tigers 4-0-1 in the Empire 8 haven't allowed a goal the entire season shutting out all five opponents in league action 9-0. RIT's only blemish on a perfect E8 season is a 0-0 tie at Ithaca. Tiger goalkeeper Brian Lenzo (Greece, N.Y.) has been in the nets for all five shutouts and recorded five saves against the Cardinals.

The game was scoreless through the first half, but with St. John Fisher holding a 5-3 shot advantage and 4-1 in corner kicks. However, the Tiger offense turned it up a notch in the second half outshooting the Cardinals 9-5 and Trae Lower (Gettysburg, Pa.) benefitted from the pressure with the game-winning goal at 63:58 on a cross from JJ Wagner (Holley, N.Y.).

Lower's goal snapped the Cardinals' 535-minute shutout streak, while RIT's streak is now at 402:50 without allowing a goal.

The Tigers remain in the hunt for hosting the Final Four of the first-ever Empire 8 postseason Nov. 2-3, with the automatic bid to the NCAA's going to the tournament champion. If the two teams end in a tie, the tournament host would be awarded to the team with the best goal differential. RIT holds a 9-0 differential, while Ithaca has a 10-2 differential.

RIT resumes action when it travels to SUNY-New Paltz Saturday, Oct. 19 at 11 a.m. and close out its Empire 8 season at Nazareth on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 4 p.m. Ithaca hosts St. John Fisher in its E8 finale on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 3 p.m.